Sunday, May 30, 2010

Braidwood's Amuq Survey Volume Online at the OI

Oriental Institute Publications (OIP)

OIP 48.

Mounds in the Plain of Antioch: An Archeological Survey

By Robert J. Braidwood

The Plain of Antioch in North Syria, called by the natives the Amuq, was once the site of the "Syro-Hittite" kingdom of Hattina, and there is evidence that its occupation goes back certainly to Chalcolithic times if not before. The floor of the plain is covered with mounds, most of which are now known to have preclassical remains. Early in the fall of 1933 the Expedition staff realized the value of an archeological survey which would take the form of an inventory of all the mounds in the Plain of Antioch and its tributary river valleys. The purpose of an archeological survey of this type is the complete reconnaissance of a certain area to discover what, if anything, within that area is of archeological interest.

It was not until the spring of 1936 that such a survey was carried out. The emphasis of this survey is admittedly preclassical; no attempt was made to investigate sites which were not in the form of the characteristic mound. The survey was accomplished in three weeks, but in the case of several mounds the material collected at that time was amplified by sherds picked up in previous years by the various members of the Expedition.

In this volume are presented the names of all the mounds in the Plain of Antioch, with their positions fixed on maps, as well as indications of the various cultural periods during which they were occupied and of the distribution of remains of each period.